Law 7/2019 on Public Entertainment and Recreational Activities of the Autonomous Community of Extremadura, implemented by Decree 66/2022, sets out a regulatory framework that affects several levels of public administration in Extremadura: the Regional Government (Junta de Extremadura), the Provincial Councils, the City Councils and the event organisers themselves. This article summarises the key operational points of the law and analyses the changes planned for 2026.
What Law 7/2019 regulates
The law defines the legal regime applicable to any event or activity with the three defining features of a public entertainment: attendance by the public, a recreational or cultural purpose, and an occasional or periodic nature. This includes concerts, festivals, patron saint festivities, sporting events open to the public, pilgrimages, fairs, themed markets and many other activities.
Excluded are private events with limited capacity, activities covered by specific regulations (such as bullfighting) and family celebrations in private homes.
Who has the power to authorise what
The division of powers is one of the most complex aspects of the law:
| Type of event | Competent authority |
|---|---|
| Events in fixed premises with a prior licence | City Council (notification) |
| Municipal events on the public highway | City Council (authorisation) |
| Extraordinary events > 1,000 people | Regional Government of Extremadura |
| Events in municipalities < 1,000 inhabitants with > 500 people | Provincial Council |
| Pyrotechnic events | Regional Government + Government Sub-Delegation |
| Events with flammable substances or special risks | Regional Government + competent Fire Service |
This multi-level division gives rise to the most recurrent operational problem: a single application may require parallel processing by three different administrations with uncoordinated deadlines. When the application arrives late, the event is cancelled.
The organiser's substantive obligations
Beyond authorisation, the organiser takes on compliance obligations during the event:
Self-Protection Plan
Mandatory for events with a capacity of more than 2,000 people or with specific risks (pyrotechnics, shows involving animals, events in unusual venues). It must cover evacuation, first aid, communication with the emergency services and the location of firefighting equipment.
Capacity control
The authorised capacity is binding. The Law requires continuous recording of actual attendance through access control systems (ticket scanning, automatic counting or closed capacity with door control). The person responsible for the event must be able to demonstrate the number of people present at any time.
Civil liability insurance
Statutory minimums scaled by capacity. For events of more than 5,000 people, the minimum cover is around €1,200,000. The policy must be evidenced before the event starts.
The penalty regime
Three levels of infringement:
- Minor: up to €2,000. Example: incomplete documentation submitted late.
- Serious: €2,001 - €30,000. Example: exceeding the authorised capacity.
- Very serious: €30,001 - €600,000. Example: holding the event without authorisation.
Inspectors may order the event to stop immediately if there are serious risks to public safety.
What changes in 2026
An implementing decree is expected to come into force that will update three key aspects of the law:
1. A single regional platform
Processing will be unified on a single electronic platform connecting the Regional Government, Provincial Councils and City Councils. The organiser submits the application once and the platform routes it to the competent body, with shared visibility of the file. This will solve the problem of parallel processing.
2. Capacity verified in real time
For events of more than 5,000 people, a technical connection between the capacity control system and the competent administration will be required, so that the Regional Government or the City Council can see the number of attendees in real time. This requires integration with access control systems (QR scanning, automatic counting).
3. Digital inspection
Inspection reports will move from paper to a mobile app with the electronic signatures of the inspector and the organiser, geotagged photos and direct referral to the penalty proceedings. This shortens timescales and eliminates disputed reports caused by transcription problems.
Implications for municipal officials
If you are responsible for entertainment licences in a City Council in Extremadura, the points to bear in mind for 2026 are:
- Check that your current management system can integrate via API with the regional platform that is to be rolled out.
- If your City Council authorises large events (> 1,000 people), prepare the integration with capacity control systems for events subject to that requirement.
- Train technical staff (social services, planning, local police) in the new regime and the new platform.
- Review municipal by-laws on public entertainment to avoid conflicts with the forthcoming regional rules.
If your administration needs to prepare for the regulatory changes, we can help you assess the impact and plan the transition.
